Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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SWEENEY, WILLIAM BURRELL -- Born in Tennessee and came to Texas in 1832. He was a son of John and Ann Sweeny whose other children were Thomas Jefferson, Jordan W., Benjamin Franklin, John, S. P., and Sophia. His parents were born in Virginia, but moved to Tennessee. William B. came to Texas in 1832 and 1833 his father and his family followed, settling near the present town of West Columbia, Brazoria County. In Headright Certificate No. 10 issued to William B. Sweeny, by the Board of Land Commissioners of Brazoria County in 1838 it is simply stated that he came to Texas prior to May 2, 1835.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 529 it is certified that William B. and Thomas J. Sweeny served in the army from March 25 to June 5, 1836 and participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. William B. was a member of Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company of Cavalry. The Land Office records do not show that he received donation or bounty land for his services in the army(?). On page _____ of the army rolls in the General Land Office Mr. Sweeny's name appears as a member of Captain James L. Holmes Company at Velasco, August 27, 1836.

Mr. Sweeny was married to Elizabeth Newell, who was born in Alabama. Mrs. Clement N. Bassett, Richmond, Texas wrote to the compiler January 20, 1936 that Mr. Sweeny died in Hays County but that she did not know the date of his death. His grave is lost.

After the death of Mr. Sweeny his widow was married to Joseph S. Anderson, by whom two children were born. Mrs. Anderson died in May 1888 and is buried in a marked grave in the Morton Cemetery in Richmond, Fort Bend County.

Eluora (sic) V. Sweeny, a daughter of William B. Sweeny, was married to John Calhoun Mitchell. Their children were Mrs. Clement N. Bassett, Richmond; and Mrs. Lucie Bell Dunlavy, Richmond.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Henry Wax Karnes

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Sweeney
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Came to Texas: 1832
  • Date of Death: 1840 Sept
  • Wife: Elizabeth Newell Sweeny Anderson
  • Children: Eluora V. Sweeny Mitchell
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother Thomas Jefferson Sweeny fought at San Jacinto.